Clothes-washing machine



4 Sheets-Sheet 1 I HHHI HI I IJH.

W. P. M CARTY CLOTHES-WASHING MACHINE July 28, 1953 Filed Oct. 19, 1949 FIG. I

W. P. M CARTY CLOTHES-WASHING MACHINE July 28, 1953 Filed Oct. 19, 1949 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. Walter P. McCarty July 28, 1953 w. P. MCCARTY 2,646,673

CLOTHES-WASHING MACHINE Filed Oct. 19, 1949 4 Sheets-Sheet s INVENTOR. Walter P McCarty FIG. 6

VIIIIIlI/A A'Hys.

Patented July 28 19 53 CLOTHES-WASHING MACHINE Walter P. McCarty, Oak Park, 111., assignor to General Electric Company. a corporation of New York Application October 19, 1949, Serial No. 122,321

The present invention relates to clothes washing machines, and more particularly, to improved electric control circuits for such washing machines of the semi-automatic type.

It has been proposed heretofore that a semiautomatic clothes washing machine might be provided in which the initial filling of the tub with wash water is manually controlled and in which the remainder of the controls of the machine to effect washing, rinsing and water extracting operations are performed automatically in a predetermined cycle by a timer governed program selector. Such a proposed machine offers many economies in manufacture as a consequence of the resulting simplification of the automatic controls and possesses certain advantages with reference to the supervision by the user of the filling of the tub with variable quantities of wash water at variable temperatures especially suited to the particular loads of clothes that are to be washed. However, the

provision of both manual and automatic controls in such a washing machine would normally prove most confusing to the user and would ordinarily require elaborate interlocks to prevent improper operation.

Accordingly, it is a general object of the present invention to provide an improved semi-automatic clothes washing machine in which the initial filling of the tub with wash water is controlled manually and in which the remainder of the controls of the machine to efiect washing, rinsing and water extracting operations are performed automatically in a predetermined cycle by a timer governed program selector.

Another object of the invention is to provide in a semi-automatic washing machine of the type noted, an improved and exceedingly simple control arrangement requiring the user to manipulate only a single control member.

Another object of the invention is to provide in a semi-automatic washing machine of the type noted, an improved control arrangement including a manually operable control member or dial mounted for rotary movements to preselect any one of the several operations of the machine and mounted for axial movements selectively to initiate and to arrest the performance of the preselected one of the several operations of the machine.

A further object of the invention is to provide in a clothes washing machine including an upstanding casing, an upstanding tub arranged in the casing and mounted for rotation, an upstanding agitator arranged in the tub and 5 Claims. (01. 68-12) mounted for oscillation, and a pump operative to I deliver from the casing any water caught therein that is overflowed from the tub as a result of an excess filling thereof, or that is centrifuged from the tub as a result of rotation thereof, an improved arrangement that is responsive to the initiation 'of any one of the several difierent filling, washing, rinsing, and water extracting operations of the machine for initiating operation of the pump.

A still further object of the invention is to provide in a washing machine of the type noted, an improved'electric control system for effecting and for interlocking both the various manually controlled operations and the various automatically controlled operations of the machine.

Further features of the invention pertain to the particular arrangement of the elements of the clothes washing machine and the electric control system therefor, whereby the above-outlined and additional operating features thereof are attained. I

The invention, both as to its organization and method of operation, together with further objects and advantages thereof, will best be understood by reference to the following specification taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a vertical sectional view of a clothes washing machine embodying the present invention; Fig. 2 is another vertical, sectional view of the machine, taken in the direction of the arrows along the offset line 22 in Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is an enlarged vertical sectional view of solenoid controlled valve mechanism incorporated in the machine, taken in the direction of the arrows along the line I plan view of the left rear portion of the top wall of the casing of the machine shown in Figs. 1 and 2 illustrating the manually operable control dial incorporated therein for controlling operation thereof; Fig. 5 is an enlarged exploded fragmentary vertical'sectional view of the control dial and the connected program controller switch incorporated in the machine for controlling operation thereof, taken in the direction of the arrows along the line 5-5 in Fig. 4; Fig. 6 is an enlarged vertical sectional view of the program controller switch, taken in the directionof the arrows along the line 66 in Fig. 5; andFig. '7 is an electric diagram of the program controller ..Referring now to Figs. land 2 of the drawings there 'is generally illustrated a clothes washing the lower casing section l3. thus resiliently supported for limited longitudimachine M of the oscillating agitator and rotating tub type embodying the present invention. Specifically, the machine I9 is of the general construction and arrangement of that disclosed in U. S. Patent No. 2,513,844., granted on July 4, 1950, to George P. Castner and Arthur D. Lund, and comprises an upstanding casing H including upper and lower sections 12 and [3, the casing sections l2 and I3 being suitably detachably secured together, a surrounding gasket l4 formed of rubber, or the like, being disposed at the junction therebetween. The casing sections l2 and I3 are generally square in horizontal cross section with rounded corners connectingthevarious walls thereof. The upper casing section I2 is support ed directly upon the lower casing section l3; and the lower casing section I 3 is supported upon four vertically adjustable feet I5 respectively arranged at the four rounded corners thereof and respectively engaging four mounting pads [6 formed of linoleum, or the like, and suitably secured to a .1 floor or other external support. The uppercasing section l2 includesconnected front and rear .walls I l and I8, side Walls 19 and 2D, and top and bottom walls 2! and 22; while the lower casing section It includes frontand rearwalls 23 and 24, side walls 25 and 25, and .a bottom wall 27. Thus the bottom wall 22 of the upper casing section 12 constitutes a dividing; wall between the upper and lower casing sections 12 and [3; whereby the upper casing section l2 defines a tub and water receiving compartment 28, and the lower casing section [3 defines a machinery compartment 29.

, Within the machinery compartment 29 there is disposed a frame 39 upon which. the principal 33 formed of rubber, or the like, and disposed in a depression 34 formed in the bottom wall 2'! of The frame is nal movement in the vertical direction and is also capable of limited gyratory or wobbling movement about the longitudinal axis of the machine l9. In order to center the frame 38 along the longitudinal axis of the machine 10 and in its.

upstanding position, four radially extending and angularly spaced-apart tension springs 35 are arranged below the bottom wall 22 of the upper casing section l2 and extend between four posts 35 carried by the frame 39 and four-adjustable eye bolts 31 carried by four brackets 38 that are secured to the-walls of the lower casing section I3 adjacent to the four rounded corners between i the front and rear walls 23 and 24 and the side walls 25 and 29. Also, in order to limit the gymtory movement of the frame 39 about thefoot SI and about the longitudinal axis of the machine 1 [9, four radially extending and angularly spacedapart snubbers 39 are provided between the frame 30 and four brackets 49 respectively secured to the front and rear walls 25 and 243 and the side :walls 25 and, 25 of the lowercasingjsection l3.

The frame 39 carries an upstanding longitudir nally extending barrel 4| projecting-from the machinery compartment 29 through an opening 42 provided in the central portion of the bottom ---.wall 22 into the tub compartment 28, the opening 42 being surrounded by an upstanding tubular v. sleeve 43 arranged in spaced relation to the barrel and joined to thebottom wall 22. ,Withinthe within the machinery compartment 29. Thus, it

will be understood that when the pulley 5| is rotatedthat. the sleeve 44 is rotated effecting rota- --ti0n ofthe-tub 49. The tub 49 comprises a substantiallycentrally disposed downwardly extend- .ing conical bottom element 52 terminating in an annular sediment trap structure 53. Also, the tub 99 includes an outwardly directed bottom wall 54 surrounding the annular trap structure 53 and merginginto an upwardly tapered side wall 55,

.aheavybalance ring 58 being secured to the upper edge of the side wall 55. The balanc ring 56 is provided with an inwardly directing flange 51 having a substantially centrally disposed opening 58 formed therein for the purpose of rendering the interior of the tub 49 accessible from the ex- ;terior, the flange 5'! preventing clothes from being flung from the tub 99 incident to rotation thereof. The lower portion of the balance ring 56 is provided With a number of serrations in order to define a number of openings 59 between the lower portion thereof and the upper-edge of the-side wall 55 of the tub 49 in order to accommodate the passage of watertherethrough as a result of the centrifugal forces when the tub 49 is rotated. Further, two outwardly and thenupwardly extending tubes 99 are carried upon-the exterior of the tub 39 at substantiallydiametrically disposed positions, the lower ends of the tubes 59 communicating with the sediment trap structure and the upper ends of the tubes 69 1 discharging into cooperatin g grooves 6| formed inthe balance ring 56 and communicating with the tub compartment 28. Further, it is pointed out that the sediment trap structure 53 comprises an inwardly'directed throat or flange member 62 --joining the bottom wall 54 ofthe tub 49 and overhanging the lower ends of the tubes 60.- It

will be understood that any sediment accumulating in the sediment trap. 53 will be. discharged threughthe tubes 6i? into the tub compartment 28 incident to rotation of the tub 4.9 as a consequence of the centrifugal forces produced.

A longitudinally extending upstanding shaft 63 is suitably journalled in a centrally disposed opening formed in the sleeve M -the upper end of the shaft projecting through a tubular extension fidcarried by the conical bottom element 52 of the tub 59. The upper end of the shaft 63 is journalled inand supported; upon a-bearing element arranged in the upperend of the tubular extension 5d;- and the-lower end of the shaft 53 is located with respect to the lower end of the sleeve by a bearing 58 that is positioned b.3133 collar 59a which is detachablysecured to ,the lower-end ofthe shaft G3. Thecxtreme upper mend of the shaft 537hasdetachably, secured theret y afixt re 55 m. up mnd e b d d a t 57 arranged in the tub 49 and surrounding the tubular :exte -sion 6 3.1 Theragitator Siincludes a substantiallypconicalshaped body 68;t erminating in, anannular; flange 6,9,,disposedpverz-the inwardly, directed throat member 62. The, lower end or the. o y 5.8 Qf. he-.asitator 6-l'.-;c rr s three upstanding angularly spaced-apart main clothes agitating blades 19; and the upper-end of the body 58 of the actuator 61 carries three intervening angularly spaced-apart auxiliary suds agitating vanes H. The junction between the vanes It and the auxiliary vanes 1| on the agitator 9'! being arranged adjacent to the normal water level in the tub 49 indicated by the dash line '52.

Also the frame 39 carries an oscillating mechanism 33 that is preferably of the character of that disclosed inU. S. Patent No. 1,964,449, granted on June 26, 1934, to Allen J. Patch. The oscillating mechanism I3 includes a casing I4 in which there is journalled an upstanding shaft 15 that projects therethrough. The shaft I5 carries a crank arm I9 that is oscillated by associated parts, not shown. The shaft I5 is arranged along the longitudinal axis of the machine I9 coincident with the longitudinal axis of the shaft 63;

and clutch mechanism 11 is interposed between the upper end of the shaft I5 and the lower end of the shaft 93. Specifically, the clutch mechanism 'I'I comprises cooperating clutch elements '58 and I9 respectively carried by the upper end of the shaft 75 and by the lower end of the shaft 93, The clutch element I8 is splined upon the upper end of the shaft "I5 for longitudinal sliding movement thereon toward and away from the cooperating clutch element l9 rigidly securedto the lower end of the shaft 93 in order to efiect engagement and disengagement of the clutch elements Z8 and I9. The mechanism I? further comprises a bell crank 89 carried by the frame 99, one end of the bell crank 89 cooperating with the clutch element i8, and the other end of the bell crank 99 cooperating with the armature of a solenoid 8I, also carried by the frame 39. It

will be understood that when the solenoid BI is energized the bell crank 89 is operated to clutch the elements it and I9; and when the solenoid 9! is de-energized the bell crank 89 is returned to its normal position in order to declutch the elements It and I9. When the clutch mechanism TI occupies its clutched position the oscillating mechanism 13 effects oscillation of the shaft 63 and the consequent oscillation of the agitator 61 with respect to the tub 49.

Further, the frame 39 carries within the machinery compartment 29 a main electric motor 82 provided with a rotatable operating shaft 83 carrying two pulleys 94 and 95 on the upper end thereof, and a drain pump 86 provided with an operating shaft 81 carrying a pulley 89 on the upper end thereof The pulley 94 carried by the operating shaft 93 of the main motor 82 is belted by a V-belt 89 to the pulley 88 carried by the operating shaft 9! cf the drain pump 86; and the pulley 95 carried by the operating shaft 83 of the main motor 82 is belted by a V-belt 99 to a pulley 9! secured to the operating shaft, not shown, of the oscillating mechanism I3. Thus it will be understood that when the main motor 82 is operated the drain pump 86 is operated and also the oscillating mechanism I3 is operated; however, oscillation of the shaft 63 and the agitator 9? by the operating oscillating mechanism I3 are dependent upon the position of the clutch mechanism El. Also, the drain pump 85 includes an intake connection 92 and a discharge connection 93. The intake connection 92 is suitably connected by a section of hose 94' formed of rubber, or the like, to a downwardly directed drain connection 94 provided in the bottom wall "discharge conduit 95 projecting through an open-* ing 96 formed in the rear wall 24 of the lower casing section l3. Of course, it will be understood that when the drain pump 89 is operating any water accumulating in the upper casing section I2 will pass through the drain connection 94 and the hose 93 into the intake connection 92,

r and will be pumped from the discharge connection 93 via the drain conduit 95 to the exterior of the machine I9.

Further, within the machinery compartment 29 the frame 39 supports an electric spin motor 91 that is provided "with an operating shaft 98 I that is connected to a fluid drive or coupling mechanism 99 of the character of that disclosed in the previously mentioned Castner and Lund patent. Specifically, the fluid drive mechanism 99 includes a rotatable casing I99 carrying a pulley E9! that is connected by a V-belt I92 to the pulley 5| that is carried by the sleeve 44.

' fluidmechanism 99 through the intermediary of the quantity of oil cooperating with the bladed elements noted, whereby the pulley IN is rotated effecting rotation of the pulley 5| and the consequent rotation of the sleeve 44 and the tub 49. This arrangement of the fluid coupling 99 insures gradual acceleration of the tub 49 to its full spinning speed when operation of the spin motor 9! is initiated, and also permits an automatic slowdown of the tub 49 in its spinning operation in the event it contain-s an unbalanced load of clothes, as disclosed in the previously mentioned Castner and Lund patent.

The top wall 21 of the upper casing section I2 has a substantially centrally disposed square opening 194 formed therein in order to render th interior of the tub 49 accessible from the exterior of the machine I9, the opening I94 being surrounded by a downwardly directed substantially square flanged throat I95 preventing the presentation of sharp'edges. The opening I94 formed in the top wall 2| is surrounded by a counterdepression I96 of substantially square form that receives an associated hinged cover I91, the cover I91 being hinged adjacent to the rear portion of the counterdepression I96 in any suitable manner, not shown. Also, the rear wall I8 and the rear portion of the top wall 2I of the upper casing section I2 carry a substantially L-shaped hood I98 in which there is arranged an inlet conduit I99, the front end of 22 of the upper casing section I2; and the discharge connection 93 is suitably connected to a,

the inlet conduit I99 projecting through a hole IE9 formed in the top wall 2I and overhanging the adjacent upper edge of the tub 49. The rear end of the inlet conduit I99 is connected by a suitable length of hose III formed of rubber, or the like, to inlet valve mechanism II2 disposed within the machinery compartment 29, the hose III passing through a hole H3 formed in the rear wall 24 of the lower casing section I2.

As best shown in Figs. 2 and 3, the inlet valve mechanism II2 comprises a casing II4 provided with partition structure [I5 defining a cold water inlet chamber I I9, a hot water inlet chamber II! and a mixing chamber II8. The cold water inlet chamber I I 6 and the hot water inlet chamber III are respectively provided with a cold water. inlet connection H9 and a hot water inlet, connection I20. The connections II Band I projecting through th hole SB formed in the rear wall 24 of the lower casing section I3. 7 The mixing chamber IIB comprises the outlet connection I2I that is directly connected to the lower end of the hose III as previously noted. Valve ports I22 and I23 are formed in the partition structure I I5 andrespectively communicate with the cold water inlet chamber H6 and with the hot water inlet chamber I I1 and commonly communicate with the mixing chamber 'IIB. valve ports I22 and I23 are respectively provided with cooperating valve elements I24, and I25 carried on the lower ends of respective valve stems I26 and :I2'I projecting through openings provided in th casing II4. Also the casing II I supports two solenoids I28 and I29 that are respectively provided with armatures that are respectively connected to the valve stems I26 and .I 22.: In the valve mechanism II 2 the valve stems I26 and I2? are normally biased by springs, not shown, in the upper direction so that the respectively carried valve elements I24 and I25 normally close the respective valve ports I22 and I23. When the solenoid I28 is energized the armature thereof moves downwardly forcing the valve stem I23 downwardly against its normal bias in order to move th valve element I24 to unseat the associatedvalve port I22, whereby the interior of the cold water inlet chamber IIS is placed into communication with the interior of the mixing chamber II8. Similarly, when the solenoid I29 is energizedthe armature thereof moves downwardly forcing the valve stem I 21 downwardly against its normal bias in order to move the valve element I25 to unseat the asso ciated valve port I23, whereby the interior of the hot water inlet chamber II! is placed into communicaticn with the interior of the mixing cham- V ber IIB; Accordingly, it3will be. understoodthat.

when the cold water solenoid I28 is energized aione, cold water is supplied from the mixing chamber IIB of the valve mechanism H2 to the inlet conduit I89; when the hot water solenoid I29 is energized alone, hot water is supplied from the mixing chamberi I8 of the valve mech-,.

anism H2 to the inlet conduit I93; and when both the cold water solenoid I28 and the hot water solenoid I29 are energized, warm water is supplied from the mixing chamber I I3 of the valve mechanism II2 to the inletconduit I38. Of course, the water that is supplied .from the valve mechanism II2 to the inlet. conduit I39 issues from the front end thereof and falls into the open top of the tub 49.

For the purpose of controlling the various 0p-. erations of the machine It a single manually op- .erable control dial I30 is carried by the top wall .nected to the program selector switch I3I.- by

an arrangement. including a longitudinally .extending control rod'I33 projecting through the tub compartment 2t. More particularly, as

- shown in Figs. 1, 4 and 5, a longitudinally extende ing tube I34 surrounds the control rod I33, the upper and lower ends of the tube I34 being securely anchored in upper and lower grommets 135 land I36 respectively anchored in openings respectively formed in the top. wall 2Land in the.

The

.bottomwall 22 of the upper casing section I2.

I The grommets I and I35 are formed of rubber, or. the like; and are hermetically sealed in I. the openings respectively formed in the top wall 2| and in the bottom wall 22 and to the respective upper and lower ends of the tube I34 in order positively to insure fluid-tight joints and to. render passage of the control rod I33 through the tub compartment 28 out of contact with any water contained therein. 7 The lower end of the controlrod I33 projects; into the machinery compartment 29 and is threaded inorder to receive a fixture I31, that, in turn, is secured by an insulating sleeve I38 to an operating shaft I39 2 portion of the skirt I42 and threaded into cooperating openings provided in the plate I43. This arrangement for securing the skirt I42 to the upper end of the control rod I33 permits initial relative rotation and adjustment of the position of the skirt I 42 with respect to the position of the control rod I33 so that the initial positions of the skirt I42 and the control rod I33 may be adjusted in order to bring their zero or 011' positions into initial registry, for a purpose more fully explained hereinafter. The body portion of the knob MI is provided with a centrally disposed opening therein that is threaded and directly receives the extreme upper end of the control rod I33 that is provided with a threaded section; I on the extreme upper end thereof.

The threaded section I45 of the control rod I33 is provided with the threads mentioned which are pitched in the clockwise direction, as viewed in Fig. 4, so that when the knob MI is rotated in the clockwise direction, it is tightened on the threaded end I45 of the control rod I33 and frictionally engages the skirt I42 in order to eiiect rotation of the control rod I33 and the skirt I42 in the clockwise direction. On the other hand,

in the event the knob MI is rotated in the counterclockwise direction, as viewed in Fig. 4, it is merely unscrewed fromthe threaded end I45 of the control rod I33, thereby preventing rotation of the control rod I33 in the counterclockwise .direction mentioned As previously noted, the

lower end of, the control rod I33 is threaded in order to receive-the fixture I31, which arrangement permits of initial adjustment in the longitudinal direction of the initial position of the controlrod I33with respect to the operating shaft I39 of the program selector switch I40, for a purpose morefullyexplained hereinafter. The peripheral portion or" the outwardly flanged skirt I42, carries indicia I45, explained more fully hereinafter, that cooperates with an index pointer I41 that is carried bythe upper surface of the top wall 2I, whereby the rotary position of the manuallyoperable control knob I30 and consequently the control rod -I 33 may be appropriately indexed.

As shown in Figsfi, the program selector switch the operating shaft-13.9 pmiect aim thei wall thereof, as previously noted. Also the program selector switch I3I comprises five insulating control cams CI, C2, C3, C4 and C5 arranged in longitudinally spaced-apart relation and rigidly secured to the operating shaft I39, which control cams respectively cooperate with five contact sets or switches SI, S2, S3, S4 and S5, for

the purpose of selectively controllin the various electrical circuits of the machine In in response to selective rotation of the operating shaft I39. Also, the operating shaft I39 carries below the lowermost control cam CI an insulating plunger or actuator I48 that cooperates with a master or line switch LS. In addition to rotary movements the operating shaft I39 is mounted for limited longitudinal movements so that the actuator I48 selectively controls the line switch LS. Specifically, when the operating shaft I39 is lifted or moved to its upper position, the actuator I48 disengages the lower spring of the line switch LS permitting operation of the line switch LS to its closed circuit position due to its inherent resiliency; and, on the other hand, when the operating shaft I39 is depressed or moved to its lower position the actuator I48 engages the lower spring of the line switch LS forcing the line switch LS into its open circuit position. The operating shaft I39 may be restrained in its upper and lower positions in any suitable manner, such, for example, as by the friction in the supporting bearings. Moreover there may be provided an arrangement including a substantially U-shaped spring I430, that cooperates with the actuator I48 for the purpose noted.

Further, the program selector switch I3! comprises an auxiliary casing I49 housin a timer of the Mallory type and provided with an operating shaft I50 projecting from the auxiliary casing I49 into the principal casing I40. The Mallory time timer includes an electric timer motor I50 of the shaded pole type that is operated at a synchronous speed from a 60 cycle 110 volts A. C. source, as well as escapement mechanism I5I that is so connected and arranged that when the timer motor I56 is continuously operated the operating shaft I59 is released each half minute, and rotates upon each release thereof /2 revolut on. The details of the Mallory timer have not been disclosed as they are entirely conventional and form no part of the present invention.

The extreme upper end of the operating shaft I53 of the Mallory timer projecting into the principal casing I40 has a pinion I52 rigidly secured thereto that cooperates with a gear I53 that is rigidly secured to a shaft I55 mounted within the casing Mil. A pinion I55 is rigidly secured to the shaft I M and cooperates with a gear I55 rigidly secured to a shaft I51 mounted in the casing Mi A gear IE3 is rigidly secured to the extreme lower end of the operating shaft E39 and cooperates with a pinion I59 rigidly secured to a shaft I68 mounted in the casing I40.

The shafts I51 and ifili are arranged in longitudinal alignment and are mounted for independent rotation with respect to each other. Finally, a ratchet Wheel I 51 is rigidly secured to the shaft I89 and cooperates with an associated pawl I62 pivotally mounted upon a pin I63 carried by the gear I555. The arrangement of the pawl and ratchet mechanism i6II52 between the shafts I51 and I50 permits selective overriding and clutching therebetween and consequent selective overriding and clutching between the operating shafts I39 and I 56' as explained more fully below.

When the manually operable control dial I30 is rotated in the clockwise direction, as viewed in Fig. 4, the control rod I33 and consequently the operating shaft I39 and the gear I58 are rotated therewith. Rotation of the gear I58 in the clockwise direction effects rotation of the pinion I59 in the counterclockwise direction, whereby the ratchet wheel I5! rotates therewith slipping over the pawl I62 so that the rotation of the pinion I59 in the counterclockwise direction does not in any way interfere with the operating or nonoperating condition of the timer motor I50. On the other hand, when the timer motor I59 is operated the escapement mechanism I5I effects rotation of the operating shaft I50 step-by-step in the counterclockwise direction, whereby the pinion I52 drives the gear I53 in the clockwise direction. As the gear I53 is driven in the clockwise direction, the pinion I55 drives the gear I56 in the counterclockwise direction, whereby the pawl I52 catches the ratchet wheel. IBI driving the pinion I59 in the counterclockwise direction. The pinion I59 driven in the counterclockwise direction drives the gear I58 in the clockwise direction, whereby the operatingshaft I39 and consequently the control rod I33 and the dial I30 are rotated in the clockwise direction. It will be understood that when the timer motor I5Il is operating the operating shaft IM is driven step-bystep each minute, whereby the control dial I30 is correspondingly driven step-by-step each /2 minute further in the clockwise direction, as viewed in Fig. 4, from its initial position after manual setting thereof in the clockwise direction into a preselected one of its control positions, as explained more fully hereinafter.

The connection and arrangement of the electric control network for the various elements of the washing machine II] will best be understood by reference to Fig. '7, wherein there is illustrated diagrammatically both the various operating elements of the machine Ill and the electric network, as well as a time-sequence operating chart therefor indicating the coordinated controls exercised by the control cams CI to C5, inclusive, upon the associated sets of switch springs SI to S5, inclusive, to produce a cycle of operation of the machine II]. In the circuit network it is assumed that the negative line conductor II of the source of current supply is connected to ground potential in the machine III and that the positive line conductor III of the source of current supply is insulated from ground potential, the current sup ply comprising a commercial 60 cycle volts A. C. source.

The line switch LS comprises two individual springs one of which is connected to the positive line conductor I'II and the other of which is con, nected to a bus I'IZ, the two individual springs mentioned being normally biased toward engagement with each other. The switch SI comprises two individual springs one of which is connected to the bus I12 and the other of which is connected to one terminal of the hot water solenoid I29, the two individual springs mentioned being normally biased toward disengagement with each other. The other terminal of the hot water solenoid I29 is connected to the negative line conductor I10 to provide a first electric control circuit. The switch S2 comprises two individual springs one of which is connected to the bus I12 and the other of which is connected to one terminal of the cold water solenoid I28, the two individual springs mentioned being normally biased toward disengagement with each other. The

of which is connected to the bus I12 and the other 7 of which is connected to one terminal of the main motor 82,'the two individual springs mentioned being normally biased toward disengagement with each other. The other terminal of the main motor 32 is connected to the negative line conductor IIil to provide a thirdelectric control circuit. The switch St comprises two individual springs one of which is connected to the bus I12 and the other of which is connected to one terminal of the timer motor I50,the two individual springs mentioned being normally biased toward disengagement with each other. minal of the timer motor I53 is connected to the negative line conductor I'IU to provide a fourth electric control circuit. The switch S comprises three individual springs the main or center spring of which is connected to the bus N2, the lower spring of which is connected to one terminal of the clutch magnet BI, and the upper spring-of which is connected to one terminal of the spin motor 9?, the center spring mentioned being normally biased away from the upper spring mentioned and toward the lower spring mentioned. The other terminal of the clutch magnet 81 is connected to the negative line terminal II'I! to provide a fifth electric control circuit; and the other terminal of the spin motor 97 is connected to the negative line terminal IIO to provide a sixth electric control circuit.

The program control switch I3I comprises a plurality of coordinate positions corresponding to the positions of the manually operated control dial I39 and angularly disposed in the rotary direction coincident with the corresponding indicia I48 provided on the skirt I42 oi the control dial I39 and cooperating with the index pointer M'I. Specifically, the control dial I30 and the program selector switch I3I comprises coordinate off positions so that the legend oii on the skirt I42 cooperates with the'index pointer It! when the program selector switch I3I occupies its off position, this initial registry being effected by the initial adjustment of the skirt I42 upon the upper end of the control rod I33 by virtue of the adjustablity of the plate M3 cooperating with the screws I44, as previously noted. When the program selector switch I3I occupies its off position the lower springs-of the switches Si, S2, S3 and S4 disengage the respectively associated upper springsrthereoi' and the center spring of the switch S5 disen- The other tergages both of the associated .upper and lower springs thereof, by virtue of the cooperation of the control cams CI to 05, inclusive, with the respectively associated switches Si to S5, inclusive. Also, the control dial I38 normally occupies its depressed or lower position, whereby the actuator M8 forces the line switch LS into its open circuit position. Also, the control dial I39 and the program selector switch I 3I comprise coordinate hot fill positions, warmfill positions, cold fill positions, and a plurality of "control positions angularly disposed with respect to the coordinate off positions thereof, the correlation of the various positions being explained more fully below. Specifically, as viewed in Fig. 4, the hot fill position of the control dial I36 is disposed 10 in the counterclockwise direction with respect to the off pos1- tion thereof; and, as viewed in Fig. 7, the hot fill position of the program selector switch I3! is disposed 10 toward the right with respect to the off position thereof. The coordinate hot fill positionsof the control dial I39 and the program selector switch I3I continue 15 further in the directions noted to the 25 positions thereof; at which positions coordinate "warm fill positions of the control dial I31? and the program selector switch 35 begins and then continues 15 further in the directions noted to the 40 positions thereof; at which positions coordinate cold fill positions of the control dial I33 and the program selector switch 3i begins and then continues 15 further in the directions noted to the 55 positions thereof; and at which positions coordinate rst control positions thereof begin. The various coordinate control positions of the control'dial' I38 and the program selector switch I 3| continue 305 further in the directions noted to the 360 or 0 positions thereof, the last-mentioned coordinate ositions comprisin' the ohpositions thereof. As explained more fully hereinafter, the movements of the control dial I3i3 and the program selector switch it: into the various coordinate hot fill, warm fill and cold fill positions thereof in the first 55 in the directions noted are governed entirely manually by the user of the machine ['0 as a result of rotation of the knob MI provided on the control dial it'l while the movements of the control dial E39 and the program selector. switch I3! into the various coordinate control positions thereof in the next 305 in the directions noted are governed either manually by the user in the manner noted above, or automatically by the timer motor l5fi. In other words, as explained more fully hereinafter, when the control dial i355 and the program selector switch i3I are rotated 55 away from their coordinate 01f positions, the fourth control circuit for operating the timer motor I58 is selected as a result of the cooperation between the control cam Cd and the switch so so that operation of the timer motor E58 may be initiated, whereby the timer motor I50 upon operating continues the rotation of the control dial I35) and the program selector switch l3i automatically through the various coordinate control positions thereof at the predetermined time rate and "back into the coordinate off positions thereof. Accordingly, the first 55 of rotation of the control dial I30 constitutes the manual control segment thereof and the next 305 of rotation of the control dial I36 constitutes the automatic cycle control segment thereof. When the control dial its is rotated to any one preselected position, the program selector switch I 3I is rotated to the coordinate one preselected position, whereby the control cams CI to C5, selectively govern the respective switches Si to S5 in order to preselect a certain one or more of the six electric control circuits. At this time when the control dial 53E! is lifted from its lower position into its upper position, the actuator 148 effects closure of the line switch LS, whereby the positive line conductor Ill is connected to the bus I72 in order to effect energization of one or more of the previously selected electric control circuits, so that operation of the machine It) is initiated to perform the operating functions corresponding to the preselected elec- 13 fill the tub 49 with hot wash water, the user rotates the control dial I30 in the clockwise direction, as viewed in Fig. 4, into its hot fill position, the segment between and- 25 thereon, and. then lifts the control dial I30 into its upper position. When the control dial I30 is rotated into its hot fill position, as noted above, the control cam CI closes the switch SI to preselect the first electric control circuit for the hot water solenoid I29; and when the control dial I39 is lifted into its upper position, the line switch LS is closed in order to complete the preselected first electric control circuit effecting energization of the hot water solenoid I29. The hot water solenoid I29 operates to effect the supply of hot water from the inlet valve mechanism I I2 to the inlet conduit I09 and thence into the tub 49 in the manner previously explained. When the desired quantity of hot wash water has been admitted to the tub 49, the user merely depresses the control dial I30 effecting opening of the line switch LS, whereby the hot water solenoid I29 is de-energized in order to operate the inlet valve mechanism H2 to its closed position, as previously explained. Normally, the tub 09 is filled with wash water up to the dash line T2 after the clothes have been placed in the tub 49; and at this time the user then places the detergent into the tub 49 and closes the cover 501, the cover I01 having been in its open position to accommodate placement of the clothes in the tub 49. In view of the foregoing, it will be understood that the user may effect manual filling of the tub with any desired quantity of initial wash water by observing the head of wash water in the tub 49 during the initial filling operation.

In view of the foregoing description of the manner in which the user manually fills the tub 49 with hot water, it will be understood that the tub 39 may be filled in a substantially identical manner with either warm water or cold water, the user merely rotating the control dial I into its warm fill position, or into its cold fill position and then lifting the dial I39 into its upper position.

When the control dial I30 is rotated into its hot fill position or its warm fill position or its cold fill position, the control cam C3 operates the switch S3 into its closed position in order to preselect the third electric circuit including the main motor 82 so that operation of the main motor 82 is initiated upon closure of the line switch LS as a result of lifting the control dial I30 into its upper position. This arrangement positively insures operation of the main motor 82 when the control dial I30 is lifted to its upper position and occupies other than its rotary off position, whereby the main motor 82 upon operating effects operation of the drain pump 83. Accordingly, the drain pump 80 is always operated during a filling operation of the tub 49 so that should the user inadvertently permit overflowing of the tub 49, the water overflowing from the tub 49 and falling into the tub compartment 28 is pumped by the drain pump 83 through the drain conduit 95 to the exterior. This arrangement positively prevents overflowing of the tub 49 from effecting flooding of the machine I0 and the laundry room in which it is located. Of course, when the control dial I30 is subsequently returned to its lower position the line switch Ls is operated to its open position, as previously noted, so that the circuit for operating the main motor 82 is interrupted, ar-

resting operation of the main motor 82 and the drain pump 83.

After the user has effected manual control of the circuit network in the manner described above in order to effect filling of the tub 39 with hot wash water or warm wash water or cold wash water, he may initiate the automatic cycle of the machine I0 merely by rotating the control dial I30 into its first control position, slightly beyond the 55 position, and again lifting the control dial I39 into its upper position. When the control dial I39 is rotated into its first control position the cams CI and C2 positively insure operation of the respective switches SI and S2 into their open positions in order positively to prevent control of the hot water solenoid I29 and the cold water solenoid I28. Also, at this time the control cam C3 operates the switch S3 into its closed position in order to preselect the third electric circuit including the main motor 82. Also, at this time the control cam C 1 operates theswitch S4 into its closed position in order to preselect the fourth electric circuit including the timer motor I50. Finally, at this time the control cam C5 operates the switch S5 to close the central and lower springs thereof in order to preselect the fifth electric circuit including the clutch magnet 8 I. At this time when the control dial I30 is raised to its upper position the line switch LS is operated to its closed position connecting the positive line conductor I'II to the bus 532 in order to close the third, fourth and fifth electric control circuits previously prepared. Specifically, operation of the main motor 82 is initiated, whereby the main motor 32 effects operation of the drain pump 03 and the oscil lating mechanism I3, as previously explained. Also, operation of the timer motor IE0 is initiated, whereby the program selector switch I3I and the control dial I30 are operated step-by-step through their various coordinate control positions and ultimately return to their coordinate off positions, as more fully explained below. Finally, the clutch magnet BI is operated effecting clutching of the clutch mechanism ll, whereby the oscillating mechanism I3 effects oscillation of the agitator 31 in order to initiate the washing operation in the machine I0.

The first control position of the control dial I30 extends from the 55 position thereof to the 170 position thereof covering an intervening segment of which corresponds to a time interval of 11 minutes since the timer motor I50 steps the program selector switch I3I and the control dial I30 in the directions previously noted 5 each minute; whereby 10 of rotation of the program selector switch I3I and the control dial I39 correspond to a time interval of one minute. Accordingly, when the user sets the control dial I30 into the first control position thereof he brings the desired washing time on the skirt I42 of the control dial I39 into registry with the associated-index pointer I41; Thus it'will be understood that in the event a full washing time interval of 11 minutes is desired that the control dial I30 is rotated slightly pastthe 55 position before it is lifted into its upper position. On the other hand, for example, in the event a shorter washing time interval of 5 minutes is desired, the control dial I39 is rotated to the position before it is lifted into its upper position. Thus the washing time interval is manually adjustable between 11 minutes and minute at any time interval of minute therebetween.

tinues during the preset washing time interval.

anduntil; the program selector switch 3| is rotated into its170 position, whereby the con' trol cam C5 operates the switch S5 to disengage the. center spring from the lower spring thereof and to engage the center spring with the upper spring thereof, whereby the fifth electric control "circuit is interrupted and the sixth electric control circuit-is completed. When the fifth electric. controlcircuit, including the clutch magnet BI, is interrupted, the clutch magnetfll effects operation of the clutch mechanism '1"! to its declutched position, whereby further operation of the oscillating mechanism 13 is inefiective to bring about oscillation of the agitator 61.- When the sixth electric circuit including the spin motor 9'! is thus completed, the spin motor-9'! operates to rotate the tub 49 through the drive connection previously described including the fluid drive coupling mechanism 99. ,When the tub 49 is thus rotated the initial wash water contained therein is centrifuged therefrom through the openings 59 disposed just below the balance ring 55, the wash water being caught in the tub compartment 28 and drained through the drain fixture M into the drain pump 85- where it is pumped to the exterior of the machine through the drain conduit 95. The

initial wash water is thus discharged from the 7 tube 49 by thecentrifugal forces, the clothes being retained therein by virtue'of the overhanging flange 51 provided on the balance ring 58. The clothes in the tub 40 are thus spun for a time interval of four minutes in order to ef feet the complete removal of the wash water therefrom, at which time the program selector switch I3! is rotated into its 210 position; whereby the control cams Cl and C2 efieot closure of the respective switch SI and S2 bringing about operation of the respective solenoids I29 and I28. When the solenoids I29 and 128 are thus operated, warm water is supplied via the inlet conduit I09 into the tub 49 while it is spinning in order to efiect a warm water spinning rinsing action upon the contained clothes.

The program selector l3l is rotated into its 215 position minute later whereby the control cams Cl andCZ effect operation of the respective switches SI and S2 into their open positions so as to de-energize the respective solenoids I29 and I28 for the purpose of interrupting the supply of warm water to the spinning tub 49. tated into its 220 position minute later, whereby the control cam C2 efiects operation of the switch "S2 into its closed position effecting operation of the cold water solenoid I29 and the consequent supply of cold water from the inlet conduit I09 into the spinning tubl ifi in order to effect a cold water spinning rinsing ac- The program tion upon the contained clothes. selector I3! is rotated-into its 225 position minute later, whereby the control cam C5'op- The program selector 13! is ro thereof and into-a midposition disengagingthc lowerspring thereof, so as to interrupt operation of the spin motor 91,- whereby rotation of thetub 49 is arrested in order to terminate the cold .water spinning rinsing action on the clothes contained therein. The program selecto overflowing during thetimer; interval--men-" tioned, thecoldwater supplied from the inlet conduit 109 into the tub Q9 overflowing therefrom via the openingstfi provided below the balance ring 56.

In the 260 position of the program selector [3| the control cam 05 operates the switch-S5 to move the center spring into engagement with the lower spring thereof in order to effect reoperation of the clutch magnet 85, whereby the agitator 67 is again oscillated for the purpose of initiating a deep cold water overflow rinsing action upon the clothes contained in the tub 49. This deep cold water overflow rinsing operation continues for a time interval of 1 minutes; at

- which time the program selector switch it! is rotated into its 285 position, whereby the con trol cam C2 effects operations of the switch S2 into its open position so as to bring about deenergization of the cold water solenoid I28 and the consequent interruption of the supply of cold water from the inlet conduit [89 into the tub 49. After the supply of cold water into the tub 49 is thus cut off, operation of the agitator 5'! continues for a time interval of /2 minute and until the program selector switch I3! is rotated into its 290 position in order positively to insure that the excess quantity of cold water contained in the tub 49, as explained below.

When the program selector switch i3! is rotated into its 290 position, the control cam C5 operates the switch S5 to move the center spring so as to disengage the lower spring thereof and then to engage the upper spring thereof bringing about cle-energization of the clutch mechanism 8! and energization of the spin motor 9?. Oscillation of the agitator 6? is thus arrested and rotation of the tub 49 is thus initiated, whereby the final rinse water extracting operation of the machine is initiated. The tub 49 continues to spin during a time interval of 7 minutes and until the program selector switch l3l is rotated into its 360 or 0 position constituting its off position. During this spinning operation of the tub #19 the cold rinse water contained in the tub 9 and in the clothes therein is extracted, whereby at the termination of the final rinse water extracting operation, the clothes contained in the tub "19 contain only a nominal amount of water, usually each pound of clothes containin approximately one pound of water. At this time the program selector switch l3! and the control dial occupy their coordinate off positions indicating that the automatic cycle of the machine it) has been completed; and all electric circuits are interrupted. Specifically, when the program selector switch i3| is rotated back into its off position, the control cams C3 and C4 respectively operate the switches S3 and St into their open positions in order respectively to arrest operation of the main motor 82 and to arrest operation of the timer motor 555.. Also the cam C5 operates the switch S5 to move the center spring into disengagement with the upper spring thereof in order to arrest operation of the spin motor 93'. At this time the cycle of operation of the machine it has been completed and the user may again depress the control dial I33 into its lower position in order to effect operation of the line switch LS into its open position so as to interrupt a further common point in all of the electric control circuits ,At this time the user may open the cover l0! and transfer the clothes contained in the tub 49 to a drier in order to prepare the clothes for ironing in the usual manner.

. In view of the foregoing explanation of the .control of the machine Ill by the control dial I39 and the program selector 131, it will be under- .stood that any one of the operations in the automatic cycle may be selectively repeated either .before orafter the completion of the cycle of Operation of the machine It! by first depressing the control dial 138, then rotating the control dial ltl'l into the control position corresponding .to the desired operation, and then lifting the like. For instance, in this case, the final rinse water extracting operation of the machine l may be selectively repeated in order to obtain additional time intervals of 7 minutes of water extracting operations. Similarly the final rinse water extracting operation of the machine l0 may be shortened by depressing the control dial 130 when the legend damp-reg, just preceding the legend dry-extra, thereon is associated with the index pointer Ml, as shown in Fig. 4. Of course, any of the other operations in the automatic cycle may be similarly repeated, and occasionally this facility is useful Where it is particularly desired to obtain a washing operation of longer than 11 /2 minutes and involving a particularly dirty fabric, such, for example, as Work clothes.

In this case, the user sets the control dial l30 for a full time interval of 11 /2 minutes and initiates operation of the machine Ill by lifting of the control dial 130. Thereafter, at the expiration of an appropriate additional time interval, such, for example, as minutes the control dial I38 is depressed and rotated through and back into the beginning of the first control position thereof, such that a time interval of 11 minutes is again set; whereupon the control dial I30 is again lifted so that the machine 10 may proceed through its normal automatic cycle, as previously explained. In this example, the Washing time of the machine ill has been increased by 10 minutes in order to produce a total washing time of 21 minutes. Of course, operation of the machine it may be arrested at any time either during a manual filling operation or an operation thereof in its automatic control cycle merely by depressing the control dial I30; and thereafter further operation of the machine may be again initiated merely by lifting the control dial I39,

In view of the foregoing it is apparent that there has been provided a semi-automatic clothes Washing machine comprising an improved electric control network employing a single control member or dial for the purpose of selectively controlling the various operations of the machine,

whereby there is obtained an initial manually controlled filling of the tub with wash water and a following automatic timer controlled cycle, including Washing, rinsing, and water extracting operations.

While there has been described what is at present considered to be the preferred embodiment of the invention, it will be understood that various modifications may be made therein, and it is intended to cover in the appended claims all such modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. In a clothes washing machine including an upstanding casing, an upstanding tub arranged in said casing and mounted for rotation, an upstanding agitator arranged in said tub and mounted for operation, a hot water supply conduit communicating with said tub, a hot water inlet valve operative to open said hot water supply conduit, a cold water supply conduit communicating with said tub, a cold Water inlet valve operative to open said cold Water supply conduit, said casing being arranged to catch excess water overfiowed from said tub incident to filling thereof and water centrifuged from said tub incident to rotation thereof, a drain conduit, and a pump operative to deliver water from said casing to said drain conduit; the combination comprising a program selector switch of the rotary type provided with an off position and a hot fill position and Warm fill position and a cold fill position and a plurality of control positions, said fill positions being arranged between said off position and said control positions, a shaft mounted for rotation and connected at one end to said selector switch so that selective rotation of said shaft selectively rotates said selector switch into any one of its positions, a single manually operable control knob connected to the other end of said shaft for imparting selective rotation thereto, means responsive to rotation of said selector switch into its hot fill position for operating said hot water inlet valve and responsive to rotation of said selector switch into its warm fill position for operating both said hot water inlet valve and said cold water inlet valve and responsive to rotation of said selector switch into its cold fill position for operating said cold water inlet valve, means responsive to rotation of said selector switch away from its off position into any other one of its positions for operating said pump, a timer operative to rotate said selector switch through its control" positions back into its off position and to r0- tate said knob with said selector switch through said shaft, means responsive to rotation of said selector switch into any one of its control positions for initiating operation of said timer and responsive to rotation of said selector switch back into its off position for arresting operation of said timer, means responsive to rotation of said selector switch through its control positions for operating said agitator and for rotating said tub selectively in order to establish a predetermined operating cycle, and means including said knob for indicating the position of said selector switch.

2. In a clothes washing machine including an upstanding casing, an upstanding tub arranged in said casing and mounted for rotation, an upstanding agitator arranged in said tub and mounted for operation, a hot water supply conduit communicating with said tub, a hot water inlet valve of the solenoid controlled type operative to open said hot water supply conduit, a cold water supply conduit communicating with said tub, a cold water inlet valve of the solenoid controlled type operative to open said cold water supply conduit, said casing being arranged to catch excess water overfiowed from said tub incident to filling thereof and water centrifuged from said tub incident to rotation thereof, a drain conduit, and a pump operative to deliver Water from said casing to said drain conduit; the combination comprising a program selector switch of the rotary type provided with an off position and a hot fill position and a warm fill position and a cold fill position and a plurality of control positions, a d fi it ons be n ar d et en ai off position and said control positions, a shaft mounted for rotation and connected at one end to said selector switch so that selective rotation of said shaft selectively rotates said selector switch into any one of its positions, a single manually Operable control knob connected to the other end of said shaft for imparting selective rotation thereto, first and second electric circuits for respectively operating said hot water inlet valve solenoid said cold, water inlet valve solenoid, said selector switch being rotatable into its hot fill position to close said first electric ci cu a d rota able i to. its war fil positio to. close both said first electric circuit and said second electric circuit and rotatable into its cold fill position to close said second electric circuit, a t ird. elect circuit or o ra i sai ump, said sele t r s ch. b n r bl away r i s, q i osi i n in o a ther on or its posit ons he e e e said; third l c i c uit n le tri imer meter o at ve. to. o a e a d s lect sw tch hr u it e n rel positions b ck into its Q i ne t e and re a said. no th W se ecto t h t ug aid s af a fou lectric c cu t or op rat n said imer m tor, sa d se e te sw tch be n ro a a le i to ny f i con ro sit ons o clo ai ur h ect i c rcui a ii h elec ri circu t. or op a i said were a xth. elec ic ircu t or ot t n said we said, eleete swi ch b in tata e through its con ositi ns selecti e y to close said fifil electr cir u t an saidsixth elec r ui Orde 9 st blish a pr d termine Operatin y le, n ncludin said kn for in ic iee he ne it qn o id. se ctor sw a c oth s W s in m c ine including a upstand ng ea ing en. psta in t ar ed n a d cas n a m u ted. for. ro ation. an pstandin g ator ar anged. in. aid, ube and moun ed. f r o era ion, a h t w er s p yconquit, co muni ati i s i b a. me b inle v lv Qi the. sel ne d. con r l d, y e. o aive evqeens si water su ply conduit c ld Wa r up ly n u t communicat ng w th s 311 a. eeldwete nl t al e o the o e o d o t ll d aype er tiv ee n aideq t e s n- Plr condui aid, cas e n a ran ed to a ch ex esswater v zfiq d rom sa d ubineident o fillies ther of and ater Q ntr i eed rom. aid .11??- ileiclent to rotation h r o a r nconduit, an a ul nqn ra v to e iv Wat r r m, said easingv to said drain. condui th comb na ion eeme sme. a pro r e ec or w ch of the r fiery. re p ide with, a v o po ion. and e hotfill pos t on a defw rmfillf e t e anc a @9 91 ll posit on, and, a. lurali y f ontro ositions, sa d.fi p s on ng r an e etween said off position and said control positie sa mas er s c avin ope ndeie d p0.- itiqnsle. e im nted er bot ar n d.- ne m v me s an mnneeted' atone dte aid selector switch and operati fily associated with said mast r w tch. s that. selective r ta n. of said, shalt se e tir y rotates. a e ector swi h into any one of its positions and selective sliding oi:- said'shaft selectively operates said master swit h n o, h o e o t po it ons. ingl m nua O r e, ontrol nobe to the other end of said shaft for imparting selective rotaryand selective sliding movements thereto, first and second electric circuits for respectively opcratingsaidhot water inlet valve solenoid" and said cold water inlet valve solenoid, said selector switch being rotatable into its hot fill position to prepare said first electric circuit and rotatable into its warm fill position to prepare both said first electric circuit and said second electric circuit and rotatable into its cold fill position to prepare said second electric circuit, a third electric circuit for operating said pump, said selector switch being rotatable away from its 01f position into any other one of its positions to prepare said third electric circuit, an electric timer motor operative to rotate said selector switch through its control positions backintoits "offposition and to rotate said knob with said selector switch through said shaft, a fourth electric circuit for operating said timer motor, said selector switch being rotatable into any one of its "control positions to prepare said fourth electric circuit, a fifth electric circuit for operating said agitator, a sixth electric circuit for rotating said tub, said selector switch being rotatable through its control positions selectively to prepare said fifth electric circuit and said sixth electric circuit in order to establish a predetermined operating cycle, said master switch being operative into its closed position to close each prepared one of said electric circuits and operative intoits open position to open each of said electric circuits, and means including-said knobfor indicating the position of said selector switch.

4; In a clothes washing machineincludi-n-g a tub adapted to contain wash water and clothes to be washed, a water supply system communieating with said tub, and valve mechanism having open and closed positions and arranged in said water supply system the combination comprising a program selector switch of the rotary type provided with an off position andafill position and'a cycle position, said fill position being arranged between said cit position and said cycle position, a shaft mounted for rotation and connected atone end to said selector switch so that selective rotation of said shaft selectively rotates said selector switch into any one of its positions, a single manually operable control knob connected to the other end of-' said shaft for imparting selective rotation thereto, means responsive to rotation ofsaid selector switch into its "fill" position for operating said valve mechanism into its open position and responsive to rotation of said selector switch outof its fill position for operating said valve mechanism into itsclosedposition, a timer-operative-to rotate said selector switch through its cycle position backinto its "off" position and to rotate said knob with said selector switch through said shaft; means responsive to rotation of said selector switch into its "cycle position for initiating operation of: said timerand responsive to rotation of saidselector switch back into its off position for arresting operation ofsaid timer, means responsive to rotation of said selector switch through its cycle positionback into its ofi=- position for selectively operating said valve mechanism and for'selectively carrying out washing and rinsing and water extracting operations uponthe clothes in said tubin apredetermined cycle, and means including said knob for indicating the position of said selector switch.

5. Ina. clothes washing machine including a tubadapted to contain wash water and clothes tobe washed, a hot water supply conduit cornmu nicating with said tub, a hot water inlet valve operative to open said hot watersupplyccnduit, acold water-supply conduit communicatingwith said tub, and a cold water inlet valveoperative to open said cold water supply conduit; the combination comprising a program selector switch of the rotary type provided with an off position and a hot fill position and a warm fill position and a cold fill position and a cycle position, said fill positions being arranged between said off position and said cycle position, a shaft mounted for rotation and connected at one end to said selector switch so that selective rotation of said shaft selectively rotates said selector switch into any one of its positions, a single manually operable control knob connected to the other end of said shaft for imparting selective rotation thereto, means responsive to rotation of said selector switch into its hot fill position for operating said hot water inlet valve and responsive to rotation of said selector switch into its Warm fill position for operating both said hot water inlet valve and said cold water inlet valve and responsive to rotation of said selector switch into its cold fill position for operating said cold Water inlet valve, a timer operative to rotate said selector switch through its cycle position back into its off position and to rotate said knob with said selector switch through said shaft, means responsive to rotation of said selector switch into its cycle position for initiating operation of said timer and responsive to rotation of said selector switch back into its off position for arresting operation of said timer, means responsive to rotation of said selector switch through its cycle position back into its off position for selectively operating both said hot water inlet valve and said cold water inlet valve and for selectively carrying out washing and rinsing and water extracting operations upon the clothes in said tub in a predetermined cycle, and means includin said knob for indicating the position or" said selector switch.

WALTER P. McCARTY.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,287,927 Altorfer June 30, 1942 2,328,073 Hanney Aug. 31, 1943 2,331,699 Kirby Oct. 12, 1943 2,376,991 Clark May 29, 1945 2,391,561 Geldhof, et a1. Dec. 25, 1945 2,391,718 Lindemann Dec. 25, 1945 2,407,660 Graham Sept. 1'7, 1946 2,434,199 Dyer Jan. 6, 1948 2,434,353 Edwards Jan. 13, 1943 2,502,823 Clark Apr. 4, 1950 

